PTL REGULATIONS 2025

INTRODUCTION

ORGANIZATION

The PTL® is organized by UTMB Group in collaboration with the Amis de l’UTMB association, and overseen by a Race Committee whose decisions are final.

ACCEPTATION OF THE RACE REGULATIONS AND ETHIC

UTMB® participation requires full, unconditional acceptance of the rules and the ethos of the event, as well as compliance with any instructions from the organizer.

OVERVIEW OF THE EVENT

• The aim of the PTL® is to complete a given course within a given time. It is a non-competitive adventure and, as a result, does not include an official ranking.

• The event is open to female, male, or mixed teams of 2 to 3 participants, with a maximum of 300 runners.

• Teams must remain together. If a team of 3 loses a member, the remaining 2 may continue after ensuring their teammate has reached safety (at a checkpoint or refuge), and with approval from the Race HQ. For teams of 2, any withdrawal results in the team retiring.

• The route is semi-autonomous with support provided by the organization at:

         - Checkpoints: Open during designated time windows; free dormitories and meals are provided, along with access to drop bags.
         
         - Partner refuges: Open 24/7, offering free dormitories and meals (with a meal ticket**). Space in dormitories may be limited during peak times.
        
         - Services offered by non-partner refuges are at the participants expense with due respect for the refuge’s opening hours and other guests.
         
  

• Outside assistance is strickly prohibited at any point on the course — including at checkpoints, partner refuges, village or road crossings — on pain of immediate disqualification.

• Accompaniement by third parties is also prohibited at any point on the route

*Some partner refuges offer refreshments only. These details will be sent with the roadbook.

** Within the limit of the 4 meal tickets distributed.

CONDITIONS FOR PARTICIPATION AND REGISTRATION

ENTRY PROCESS

Entry requires submitting an application detailing each team member’s prior mountain experience, technical skills, and team motivation. The evaluation process may include a lottery if demand exceeds the 300-runner limit. If all the selected 3-person teams do not reach the limit of 300 runners, a draw will be made from among the 2-person teams. If all the selected 3-person teams exceed the limit of 300 runners, a draw will be made among the 3-person teams and no 2-person teams will be selected.

The PTL® is open to anyone born in 2005 or earlier (U23 to veteran categories), with or without a racing license.

To validate their entry, each runner must:

1. Complete an online course focusing on risk awareness and best health practices in sport, which replaces the requirement for a medical certificate. It takes less than 5 minutes! (Following a change in French legislation a medical certificate is no longer required for HOKA UTMB Mont-Blanc 2025 races. This change is due to the introduction of the Parcours de Prévention Santé (PPS), a scheme set up to support athlete health.)

New registration validation process with PPS:

• Login: Visit the official PPS website three months before your race to start the online course.

• Follow the online awareness course: Complete the modules that will guide you through the essential risks, precautions and recommendations for running.

• PPS code: At the end of the course, you'll receive your PPS code, which you'll need to enter in your dashboard.

• Dashboard: At the end of the online course, copy the PPS number into your dashboard (Heading: File status) to complete your registration.

Make sure that your details (first name, last name and date of birth) match your Njuko registration.

2. Complete all additional actions required for registration before August 15, 2025, (declaration, race bib collection, telephone number, etc.) using the online form available in the runner's area.

No race bib will be allocated if the medical certificate is missing and if all the actions required to complete registration have not been carried out.

COMMUNICATION REQUIREMENTS

The ability to communicate with the organization during the event (Race HQ, volunteers in the field, emergency services, etc.) is essential to ensure the safety of participants. For this reason at least two team members must be fluent in French, English or Italian (the organization's languages). A good level of communication and comprehension, including on the telephone, is required and will be checked when race bibs are handed out.

The organization will refuse to allow a team to start if it considers that this condition has not been met.

REGISTRATION FEES

Online registration only with secure payment by credit card.

2025 entry fee: €1,600 per team (2 or 3 participants).

Services provided by the organisation:

1. Race bib (one for each team member)
2. 50l drop bag (one per team member)
3. GPS tracker so the Race Office can track the team
4. Course maps 1/25,000 and the event roadboook in French, English, Italian and Spanish (one per team) Downloadable waypoints List of the refuges and checkpoints provided by the organization
5. 24/7 Race HQ support and live tracking: https://montblanc.utmb.world/
6. Energy meals and dormitory space at checkpoints
7. Drop bags at checkpoints
8. Dormitories at partner refuges (first-come, first-served)

9. Up to 4 meal tickets per runner for use at the partner refuges
   

10. Post-race rest area, medical assistance, and a meal in Chamonix
11. Gifts: finisher jacket and traditional souvenir bell for all finishers
12. Personalized finisher diploma

The entry fee also includes an eco-participation fee of €1.5/person, which will be used to finance trail clean-up, restoration and rehabilitation projects, and a €13 2025 membership fee for the Friends of the UTMB association.

Entry fees include all services described in these regulations. They do not include additional 8% bank charges to be paid at the time of registration.

Registration is personal, firm and final. A refund is not possible for any reason whatsoever, unless otherwise stipulated in these regulations. Entries may not be transferred to another race or to another person.

RUNNER'S COMMITMENT

To participate in the PTL®, runners must adhere to the following commitments:

• Understand the challenge, be fully aware of the length and specific nature of the event and prepare accordingly.

• Demonstrate mountain autonomy. Prior to the event they must acquire skills to navigate independently and manage any problems inherent to this type of event in mid- and high-altitude mountain environments, including:

     o    Recognizing that the course involves hazardous and technical sections, such as steep slopes, off-trail terrain, scree and snowfields, and is unmarked.
     
     o    Mastering the techniques needed to cope in this environment, plus orienteering methods.
     
     o    Managing extreme weather conditions without external assistance (such as  night, wind, cold, fog, rain, or snow).
     
     o    Handling physical and mental challenges resulting from fatigue, digestive issues, muscle or joint pain, and minor injuries.
     
     o    Being fully aware that the event is not medically supported by the organization.
     
     o    Understanding that safety primarily depends on the runner's ability to adapt to unforeseen challenges.
     

• Respect the environment and rules – inform supporters and companions about respecting the environment, inhabitants and regulations.

• Stay Informed and agree to receive newsletters with event updates.

NB: The organization reserves the right to remove teams from the race if they are deemed incapable of safely continuing in a mountain environment, lack the mandatory individual or team equipment, or are unable to traverse difficult sections independently without assistance.

The organization will be on site at certain critical points of the course, particularly on Day 1. Teams deemed to have insufficient technical ability — contrary to their self-assessment form — will be disqualified from the event after being safely extracted. Removal from the race for safety or preparedness reasons will not entitle participants to a refund of registration fees.

MANDATORY EQUIPMENT

For obvious safety reasons, participants commit to keeping all mandatory equipment listed below with them at all times. Checks will be carried out during race bib collection, at checkpoints, and randomly along the course.

Individual mandatory equipment

• A dedicated GPS navigation device with the waypoints provided by the organization loaded (must be able to store at least 20 waypoints with a minimum of 5000 points each) Note: Smartphones may be used as a complement to the dedicated device but are not considered a navigation tool on their own
• Survival blanket (minimum size 140x210cm)
• Sturdy, closed trail shoes (minimalist or ultra-light shoes are excluded)
• Crampons with spikes at least 1cm long (chains are prohibited)
• Helmet (EN 12492 standard)
• Harness (EN 12277 standard)
• Double lanyard for via ferrata (2 straps with an energy absorber and 2 carabiners with automatic locking mechanism – EN 958 standard)
• Personal sleeping bag or silk sleeping bag liner (mandatory for sleeping in refuges). It is strongly recommended to include a multiplug in your drop bag
• Minimum 2-litre water supply
• Emergency energy food reserves
• Two functional headlamps with sufficient replacement batteries for the week
• Whistle
• Mobile phone with international calling capability (no hidden numbers)
• A charger (solar, portable, rechargeable, etc.)
• 1 spare breathable T-shirt
• 2 pairs of warm, long-sleeved breathable base layers
• 1 breathable, 100% waterproof jacket and trousers
• A waterproof poncho
• 1 pair of long sports pants or tights
• 1 pair of sunglasses
• 1 pair of waterproof gloves
• 1 hat
• 1 glow stick (provided by the organization)
• 1 multi-purpose cup, bowl, and utensils set for eating at checkpoints
• Compass and altimeter
• Knife.

Mandatory team equipment

• The roadbook and route maps provided by the organization
• A survival shelter suitable for the number of teammates (all team members must fit inside it in an emergency). It must be windproof, 100% waterproof, and have a ventilation chimney. Minimum dimensions: L 145 x W 90 x H 90 (cm) / Minimum weight: 300g
• A survival candle and a lighter (to warm the shelter in case of injury or risk of hypothermia)
• A first aid kit capable of treating minor injuries and conditions (non-exhaustive list in the appendix)
• Cash (in euros and Swiss francs) since most refuges do not accept credit cards.

Required by customs authorities

• Identity document

Highly recommended equipment for your safety (non-exhaustive list)

• A portable stove and pot (per team)
• Trekking poles
• Additional spare clothing
• Micropur tablets or a water filtration system
• String, sunscreen, anti-chafing cream, etc.
• 200g duvet

SECURITY AND THE PROCEDURE TO FOLLOW IN CASE OF AN ACCIDENT OR INCIDENT

The Race Control Center in Chamonix is the primary point of contact in case of a problem. It will be reachable 24/7 during the event via telephone or by sending an emergency message using the GPS tracker provided by the organization (training on its use will be given during race bib collection). The center will alert the appropriate rescue services and locate the team in difficulty.

If you cannot contact the Race Control Center, and only in cases of absolute emergency, you may call the emergency services directly:

• 112 in France and Italy

• 144 in Switzerland

Additionally, resources are available on this page to ensure the safety of a teammate in difficulty (link).

In case of adverse weather conditions, and for safety reasons, the Race Committee reserves the right to modify the course, stop the event, or adjust cut-off times. These decisions are final and non-negotiable.

INSURANCE

Each participant must have an insurance which covers the cost of search and rescue and evacuation in France, Italy and Switzerland. Such insurance can be taken out with any organization of the runner's choice- e.g. the Fédération Française d'Athlétisme via the subscription to a 'Pass’Running, Pass J’aime Courir' - or a license.

UTMB Group has set up, with Assurinco, a repatriation insurance to help you in your practice of Trail Running but not only.

For 49€ / year, you can subscribe to an insurance that guarantees you a worldwide coverage for your rescue, repatriation and medical care expenses (including helicopter rescue) in the context of your trail running practice whether it is for training, competitions or even for your reconnaissance outings.

The following disciplines are also covered: hiking, trekking, cycling and mountain biking, crosscountry skiing and snowshoeing. You are also covered if you are a professional. This insurance is mandatory on the HOKA UTMB® Mont-Blanc and the UTMB® World Series and is valid for 1 year.

Click HERE for the general conditions.

NB: you pay for your own helicopter evacuation. The choice of evacuation method depends on the organization, who will put the runner's security first.

The choice of the method of evacuation and the choice of hospital depends on the search and rescue and medical officials.

Expenses arising from the use of exceptional methods of rescue or evacuation must be paid by the person rescued who will also have to pay their return from the place to where they were evacuated. It falls to the runner to create their file and present it to their insurance company within the stated dealine.

RESPECT FOR THE ENVIRONMENT

By registering for the PTL®, participants commit to respect the environment and the natural areas they cross. In particular:

• Littering is strictly forbidden (tubes containing gels, paper, organic waste, plastic packaging...).
• All participants must keep their waste and plastic packaging until they can dispose of it in the trash cans they can find at any aid station or village they pass through.

The organization encourages runners to bring a bag to transport their waste. To reduce consumption of plastic, both by runners and volunteers, the organization will not distribute disposable crockery (cutlery, beakers, bowls) at any check point or aid station. You are, therefore, invited to bring you own utensils if you wish to eat hot food at the aid stations.

PHOTO COPYRIGHT

Every competitor expressly foregoes the right for any images during the event, just as they renounce any right of appeal to the organizers and their partners for the use of their image. Only the organization can transfer this right for images to any media, via an accreditation or relevant license. Ultra-Trail®, Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc®, UTMB®, CCC®, TDS® and PTL® are legal trademarks. Any communication about the event or use of photographs of the event must be made respecting the name of the event, the trademarks and with the official agreement of the organization.

SPONSORED RUNNERS

Sponsored runners may only display their sponsors' logos on clothing and equipment used during the race. Any other advertising accessory (flag, banner, etc.) is prohibited at any point on the course, including the finish, under penalty of penalty at the discretion of the race management.

SPOLITICAL EXPRESSION

As per our ethical charter, any ostentatious manifestation of political messages or images during the event is prohibited.

PROTECTION OF PERSONAL DATA

According to the French Data Protection Act of August 6th 1978, and in accordance with the new General Data Protection Regulations ( EU RGPD 2016/679 ), any competitor has the right to access and amend every information concerning them.

The information is collected as part of a registration for one of the HOKA UTMB® Mont-Blanc races, for the needs of the organization and in particular to identify each competitor in order to communicate them information related to his/her participation before, during or after the event.

The runner's data is kept in the database for 10 years. This period is renewable at each registration and corresponds to the legal data retention period of the medical and non-contraindication to the practice of athletics or running in competition certificate, or the sports card. After 10 years, and unless the runner authorizes the organization to keep their data, all data are deleted except the runner's surname, first name, date of birth, gender and nationality to maintain the rankings.

Any request for data modification can be made:

1. By mail to the following address: DPO UTMB UTMB Group 31 rue du Lyret 74400 Chamonix

2. By email to the following address: dpo@utmb.world

Any request for access or modification of personal data will be processed as soon as possible after receipt of the request, within a maximum period of 1 month.

RACE DETAILS

The 2025 PTL® starts from Chamonix and travels through middle and high mountain environments foraround 300 kilometers with about 25 000 meters elevation gain. The start is at 08am on, Monday, August 25th 2025 from the Place du Triangle de l'Amitié of Chamonix ; finishers will be welcomed in place du Triangle de l'Amitié in Chamonix until 15:00, August 31, 2025 and cut-off time for finishing is 151:00 hours.

RACE-BIBS

Each race-bib is issued individually to each competitor upon the presentation of an ID with photo and after having signed a commitment on their honor to keep the mandatory equipment with them at all times during the race.

It must be presented at any checks along the race route. In Chamonix, the race-bib is “the pass” necessary to access shuttle buses, buses, aid stations, rest areas, showers, and sack drop-off and pick-up points. In addition to each race-bib, each team member will receive an ID bracelet, to be worn on the wrist throughout the race.

TRACKING AND CONTROL

A GPS tracker is supplied to each team. This tracker allows the organization to track the progress of the team and ensure that it respects the route. This information will be available on the internet. The positioning of the tracker on the bag recommended by the organization must be strictly respected.

CUT-OFF TIMES

Cut-off times are defined for the life-bases and any other area judged by the organization to be imperative for reasons of security. They are calculated so that participants can make it to the finish line within the maximum permitted time of hours (151:00).
In order to be authorized to continue with the event, teams must be able to leave the check point before the cut-off time. All participants excluded from the event by the organization and who wish to continue the itinerary do so at their own risk after having returned their race-bib and tracker.

ABANDONMENT AND REPATRIATION

The organization ensures the repatriation of runners (who abandon or who fail to meet the time barrier) from every check point with a cut-off time.. In the case of abandonment at all other points along the route, without exception, runners must organize their return by their own means. The organization will ensure the repatriation to Chamonix of the bags of runners who have withdrawn, on condition that their withdrawal has been registered. The delay of the repatriation depends on logistical constraints and the organization cannot guarantee that all bags are brought to Chamonix before the end of the race.

COMPLAINTS

Any complaint must be sent by email, within 10 days after the end of the event.

EXCEPTIONAL CONDITIONS

If necessary, the organization reserves the right to modify at any time the routes, starting times, cut-off times, the position of aid stations and medical stations, and any other aspect related to the smooth running of the events. In case of force majeure, bad weather conditions or any other circumstance endangering the competitors' safety, the organization reserves the right to:

• Postpone the start of the race modify the cut-off times
• Change the start date
• Adapt the race’s course
• Cancel the event
• Neutralize the event
• Stop the race in progress

In the case of the cancellation of a race, for any reason whatsoever, decided more than 15 days before the departure date, a partial refund of the registration fees will be made. The amount of this refund will be determined in such a way as to enable the organization to cover all the non-recoverable expenses incurred as of the date of cancellation. In the event of cancellation decided less than 15 days before departure or in the event of interruption of the race, for any reason whatsoever, no registration refund will be made.

ADDITIONAL SERVICES

Civil liability The organization takes out a third party insurance for the duration of the event. This civil liability insurance guarantees the financial consequences of its liability, that of its employees and that of the participants.

MODIFICATION OF TEAM AND CANCELLATION

The original composition of teams can be changed, until July 15th at the latest. As for all candidates, each new team member added to an already formed team must submit an aptitude file. They will be evaluated by the race committee which will take the decision whether to accept or not their registration, their decision will be final.
In the case of one team member or team cancelling, the organization will not refund their share of the entry fee.

CLAIMS

Any claim arising from the runner’s registration for one of the UTMB® races must be emailed at: info@utmb.world or mailed to 31 rue du Lyret 74400 Chamonix-Mont-Blanc, France. Any complaint that cannot be resolved within two (2) months of sending UTMB Group a registered letter may also be brought to the attention of UTMB Group's ombudsman, whose contact details are: MCP Médiation 12 square Desnouettes 75015 PARIS http://mcpmediation.org Any dispute concerning the registration (e.g., if a runner is not selected via the lottery) or relating to sporting management and rules (e.g. if a runner abandons a race) is not considered a valid reason for a claim.

APPENDICE:

First aid kit By consulting your GP before leaving home you can obtain prescribed medicines that are best adapted to the situation and also verify that they will not give any side affects or allergies... We suggest that you have the following (the list is not exhaustive and does not take account of any habitual treatments):

• Dressings, bandages, creams : (all brand names given are available in France)
• Self-adhesive elasticised bandage (6 cm)Eg : elastoplast with out dressing strip…
• For ankle strapping or to hold a dressing in place
• Support bandage (8 cm)Eg : Cohéban
• Sterile dressings
• Small capsules of antisepticEg : Chlorhexidine
• Sterile compresses
• Butterfly stripsEg : Steristrip
• To close small wounds that don’t need stitching
• Gel dressingsEg : Urgomed
• To protect damaged skin(blisters, abrasions) after having disinfected them
• Anti-inflammatory creamEg : Voltarène Emulgel
• To use in the event of tendonitis, strains...
• Nok cream (Akiléine)
• To prevent blisters, don’t hesitate to re-apply cream during the race
• Coalgan
• In case of nose bleeds
• Bépanthène
• To treat irritation of the buttocks or between the thighs
• Antiseptic eye-wash

To treat blisters if one of the runners in the team is able to do the following : éosine + 5cc syringe + subcutaneous needle

1. Draw the éosine into the syringe then pierce right through the blister
2. Draw the serous fluid into the syringe
3. Re-inject the mix of serous fluid/ éosine back in to the blister
4. Re-draw the mixture and remove the syringe
5. Remove the remaining fluid with some cotton wool and then use a protective plaster or apply some Nok d’Akiléine.
6. If there is blood present in the blister then there is tissue damage so disinfect the area carefully.

Medicines :

• Analgesics Eg : straight paracetamol (example : Doliprane, Dafalgan…) or mix (example : Di-Antalvic…). For muscle aches, articulation … Avoid using aspirin or anti-inflammatories, they are toxic for the kidneys or the stomach which are already in heavy demand from due to the exigency of the race Respect intense pain which may be a sign of a serious problem which could necessitate stopping the race and seeking medical advice.
• Antiemetic Example : Vogalène lyoc

In the event of nausea or vomiting

• Ant diarrhoeic Example : Lopéramide

In the event of diarrhoea. Do not forgot the advice of hydrating your food in the event of a digestive problem

• Antispasmodic Example : Spasfon

In the event of stomach ache

• Antireflux Example : Ranitidine

In the event of heartburn Always ensure that you have on you some type of glucose or energising bars in the event of hypoglycaemia.

The original version of this document (UTMB® regulations) is in French. In the event of inconsistency or discrepancy between the French version and any of the other linguistic versions of this regulations, the French version shall prevail.